With Purim and St. Patrick’s Day just around the corner, PERC (Peer’s Educating about Responsible Choices) wants to give you the inside scoop on how to stay safe, be smart, and HAVE FUN! Here are some tips to ensure you have an enjoyable weekend.
1. EAT BEFORE YOU DRINK!
Having food in your stomach before you drink alcohol decreases your chance of getting sick. Certain foods that are high in carbs, fat, and protein are better to eat if you’re drinking because they help absorb the alcohol into your system. Hamantaschen are a great sweet option!
2. STAY HYDRATED!
Alcohol dehydrates your body, which causes painful headaches and hangovers! Make sure to drink plenty of WATER in order to keep yourself from feeling sick! If you find yourself having to pee a lot after you’ve been drinking, it means your blood alcohol level is increasing, so you need lots of water!!
3. DO NOT MIX TYLENOL (ACETAMINOPHOEN) WITH ALCOHOL!
Consuming Tylenol and alcohol will destroy your liver, so if you have a headache the night of a party, you are better off with Advil!
4. DO NOT MIX MARIJUANA WITH ALCOHOL
Mixing marijuana and alcohol is VERY DANGEROUS and the effects are unpredictable!
5. ALWAYS TRAVEL WITH A BUDDY!
You are less likely to get hurt and are much safer when you’re in pairs. Also, know where you are going and plan how you are getting back before you go to a party! NEVER drive while intoxicated or accept rides from people who have been drinking!
6. SEEK HELP IN CASE ON AN EMERGENCY
In case of an emergency, ALWAYS SEEK HELP! Call BEMCo (781-736-3333) for a medical emergency ON campus or the Brandeis police for a safety concern! Safety is #1, and you will NOT get in trouble for calling BEMCo! If you’re OFF campus and need immediate medical assistance, CALL 911!!
Myth Busters! Here are some common drinking myths to be aware of this weekend
1. “Liquor before beer, you’re in the clear. Beer before liquor, never been sicker”
FALSE! The amount you drink matters more than the type or how you mix them. Consuming too much of any alcohol too quickly can make you sick!
2. Eating before bed, especially greasy foods, helps to prevent a hangover
FALSE! By the time that food hits the stomach, the alcohol consumed has already been absorbed into your system. Greasy food won’t help your liver metabolize the alcohol any faster. Alcohol and greasy food could actually contribute to acid reflux!
3. Coffee and a cold shower will sober you up
FALSE! The liver can process about one standard drink every hour. That’s 1.5 oz of hard liquor, 5 oz. of wine, or 12 oz. of beer. Coffee or a cold shower may wake you up, but it will not make your body metabolize the alcohol faster. TIME is the only way to sober up!!
4. A High Tolerance will slow the absorption of alcohol
FALSE! People who drink regularly develop a tolerance to alcohol, meaning more alcohol can be consumed without experiencing “the effects”. Tolerance of alcohol, however, doesn’t protect your body! A high tolerance is a sign that someone is already drinking way too much and causing severe damage!
After following these PERC tips and tricks, you are guaranteed to have a BLAST!
STAY SAFE AND PARTY ON!
If you have any questions or want to get involved, email PERC at percfellows@gmail.com, and like us on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/percfellows
*Written by Melissa Tannenbaum in collaboration with PERC Fellows Caitlin Buegeler, Rose Solomon, Sabrina Libretti, Elise Stern, Melissa Sirt, Brandon Gale, Lila Kaminski and Janice Vasquez.
Edited by Andrea Stern